“Christmas when it comes,” recited a well-known television commercial. While in the punk-pop scene, for some years now, summer has come with the release of Summersad, now in its fourth edition. A single that has become like a serial and that this time, together with the trio of La Sad, is enriched by the participation of Naska. The musical mixture is always the same, between emo trap and pop-punk as well as the themes addressed in the text ranging from finding one’s place in the world to disappointments in love, up to the inner conflicts that grip many very young people (and that the beautiful season is certainly not able to relieve). But this time the autobiographical aspect is also linked to intolerance for a country still full of prejudices. “You told me that everything passes, but it doesn’t. I still don’t feel enough. I want to die on the beach, dance under cash, far from the rules, from the hatred of Italy” sing Theø, Plant and Fiks, with the support of an old friend like Diego Naska with whom they shared «crazy evenings, problems of money» and a common dream: «Making music that represents us, not like the one we hear around». Summer Sad 4 is available on all platforms, the video was released today and we met them to explain why, despite everything, «it will be another shitty summer».
How did this collaboration come about?
Fiks: Diego and I are the ones who have known each other the longest, ever since we met in Milan like two runaways. We shared a lot of experiences together, some good, some questionable and many bad.
Naska: The first time we met at the Sempione Park rides in hangover, just to give an idea of the environment we hung out with.
plant: Then I met him too and we had the same problems. No money, we let ourselves be hosted to sleep, but we managed to spend some very heavy evenings, bro. Truly punk!
In short, there is a relationship that goes beyond music.
plant: Due to the friendship that exists between us, we could have already done ten collaborations with Naska, in fact this one wasn’t built at the table, it came out because we felt it.
Fiks: We were waiting for this featuring a lot, we all wanted it. Both us and our fans.
Indeed in Summer Sad 4more than a guest, Naska looks like the fourth member of the band.
Theo: Yes, that’s what we liked to create. Because we are the only ones currently carrying on the new Italian punk-rock scene. This is also why we got along so well, both musically and in terms of themes.
And you, Naska, what do you think you brought to this song?
Naska: In the end it all came naturally. We have seen each other often for years, we hang out both outside and at their house, or mine, and we have always talked about doing something together. Now it really happened. So in this piece we talked about the period that brought us together a couple of years ago, between the difficulties of living in Milan and other follies that happen between friends.
plant: We could only do a piece like this with him, because it is very autobiographical but many others can be reflected in it.
Do you see that the punk-pop scene is following you in this relaunch?
Fiks: Sure, a lot of kids are getting into this genre. Which is not new, but we are declining it in a contemporary way.
Naska: And I’m glad to do it with them, because the music that’s out there now doesn’t represent us and doesn’t represent young people. And they are the only ones, together with me, to carry on something new.
Did old school punk let you know what they think?
Fiks: Yes yes, many have written or called us to congratulate us. Also musicians from 90s bands. The punk-rock scene is very united, not like shitty rappers or trappers who are always there to disagree or envy each other.
Theø: The punk-rock scene respects us, they’ve proven it to us time and time again. At our concerts we saw bands from the past in the audience who, in the end, only complimented us.
plant: They’re happy because we’re bringing that stuff back to the surface, albeit in our own way. And this is good for everyone.
Your song toxic it was certified gold. The numbers look on your side.
plant: Has already dust the gold disc…
Fiks: Hasn’t changed shit! It’s like winning a school trophy, as good as you want but we don’t know how to enjoy anything. That’s why we are La Sad. At least our mothers were happy…
Theø: It is only the first goal, but we aim for many others over time. That’s the result.
On June 25th you are planning the Summersad Fest in Milan, the first festival organized by you and which will see many other fashion shows. It seems that a movement has awakened.
plant: Just a few days away and there is the first edition. We’ve wanted to do it for years and it seemed impossible. It will do good for this movement, we are drawing in a lot of people.
Fiks: At the moment, as you will see at the festival, there will also be international artists to strengthen connections with other countries. We want to create a bigger network and this will be the occasion to see us live.
And Naska’s plans for the summer?
Naska: For now I have many live dates and I want to complete them as best as possible, as well as participate in the Summersad Tour, between one of my concerts and another. But before winter I’ll get back to the studio to figure out what to do next.
Does Sad have another dream in your drawer that could come true soon?
Fiks: We go step by step, but I would like to make a TV series. Or even a cartoon.
A bit like the Summersad which is now a series linked to the punk-pop summer.
plant: When does the Summersad summer begins!
Fiks: Yes, but without too many expectations. As the song says “it’s just another shitty summer”.
Despite the results you get, isn’t there still some optimism?
plant: Not yet, maybe it will be because of the city we live in, Milan, which doesn’t allow you to have real ties. For the job it’s very useful, but otherwise it sucks.
In Summer Sad 4 sing: “I want to die on the beach, dance under cash, far from the rules, from the hatred of Italy”. What is this hatred about?
Theø: It happens in Milan, let alone in the rest of Italy, shooting in our style isn’t easy. Just because you have colored hair people judge you or still have absurd prejudices.
plant: One expects a city like this not to have them, but there isn’t this grand opening. Both aesthetically and culturally. And we, like our fans, suffer from it.
Fiks: Or you only travel on fashions. You can be eccentric, but only if you’re on trend. We, on the other hand, are against all prejudice. This is Italy’s hatred of different people.
Naska: And people rob for the success of others. But I don’t give a fuck about other people’s opinions!
I had already asked La Sad and they had answered «we are happy to go punk on the Riviera», but would Naska go to Sanremo?
Naska: I would accept, but I would remain myself. I’d wear a punk-rock piece and it wouldn’t change a thing. Sanremo for me is like any other stage. I don’t want to change for anyone.
Returning to the feat, the Summer Sad 4 where is it better to listen to it?
plant: We arrived by car, listened to her and gassed ourselves full throttle. By car it rocks.
Fiks: In the mountains or by the sea in the sun, but also in the rain.
Theø: Or when you take a shower and rub soap on your nipples, when you make love, when you take drugs. In short, everywhere. When you do good things and bad things.
